Examine individual changes

'{{short description|Well-known power-up in the Mario Kart series}} [[File:Mario Kart Blue Shell.png|thumb|A spiny shell (commonly called a blue shell) as it appears in ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'']] The '''spiny shell''',<ref name="MK64 manual">{{cite web |title=Mario Kart 64 Operation Card |quote=Spiny shells will chase the Kart in the lead. Along the way, if there are other Karts in its path, they will suffer the consequences. |url=http://gamesdbase.com/Media/SYSTEM/Nintendo_N64//Manual/formated/Mario_Kart_64_-_1997_-_Nintendo.pdf |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]]| accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref><ref name="Mario Kart 7 manual">{{cite book |type=game manual |publisher=Nintendo |title=Mario Kart 7 |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/3DS_mario_kart_7_eng.pdf |accessdate=June 20, 2015}}</ref><ref name="MKDS manual">{{cite book |title=Mario Kart DS instruction booklet |publisher=Nintendo |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_Mario_Kart_DS.pdf |accessdate=June 20, 2015}}</ref> colloquially known as the '''blue shell''',<ref name="Gamasutra"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43255#v130|title=Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Update History|website=Nintendo Customer Support|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|accessdate=March 4, 2021}}</ref> is a [[power-up]] item in the ''[[Mario Kart]]'' video game series. Originating in 1996's ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'' and featured in every main entry of the series since then, the blue shell, when used, aims directly at the racer in first place, stopping them on impact. The blue shell acts as a "catch-up" mechanic, with racers ranked towards the bottom having a better chance of it spawning when driving into item boxes, giving them a better chance at diminishing the lead of the racer in top position.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Elias |first1=George Skaff |last2=Garfield |first2=Richard |last3=Gutschera |first3=K. Robert |date=2012-08-24 |title=Characteristics of Games |quote=There are countless of examples of deliberately added catch-up features in games. The shells in ''Mario Kart'' fire forward, so the person in the lead can't make use of them, but people who are behind can fire on those ahead of them. And the Spiny Shell specifically homes in on the person in first place. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QVP8AQAAQBAJ&q=%22spiny+shell%22+mario+kart&pg=PA109 |publisher=MIT Press |page= 109 |isbn=978-0262017138 |accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref><ref name="interview">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5780082/the-maker-of-mario-kart-justifies-the-blue-shell |title=The Maker Of ''Mario Kart'' Justifies The Blue Shell |publisher=[[Kotaku]] |date=March 9, 2011 |accessdate=September 26, 2012 |last=Totilo |first=Stephen}}</ref><ref name="Analysis" /> In addition to the ''Mario Kart'' series, the blue shell appeared in the ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]'' series from 2001's ''[[Super Smash Bros. Melee|Melee]]'' onwards (it has been directly featured as a power-up item from [[Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS and Wii U|''Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS'' and ''Wii U'']] onwards), and in ''[[Mario Hoops 3-on-3]]''.<ref name="SSB items at Kotaku">{{cite web |title=Smash Bros. Makes Mario Kart's Most Notorious Items A Lot More Fun |first=Yannick |last=Le Jacq |date=January 21, 2015 |url=http://kotaku.com/smash-bros-makes-mario-karts-most-notorious-items-a-lo-1680935834 |accessdate=June 20, 2015 |work=Kotaku}}</ref><ref name="DS Mario Hoops manual">{{cite AV media notes |title=Mario Hoops 3 on 3 |type=game manual |publisher=Nintendo |url=https://www.nintendo.com/consumer/gameslist/manuals/DS_Mario_Hoops_3_on_3.pdf |accessdate=June 20, 2015}}</ref> The blue shell was originally impossible to stop or dodge once fired, until 2003's ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash]]'' and subsequent games allowed ways for the targeted racer to do so, albeit only with combinations of precise timing and specific items. As it is likely to spawn at least once during a race, the power-up item has earned a reputation of frequently destroying a player's lead, or suddenly ruining their chances of winning.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Despain |first1=Wendy |date=2012-12-18 |title=100 Principles of Game Design |chapter=Feedback Loops |quote=In Mario Kart, the blue shell targets only the leader of the race. Being in first means that player is likely to be hit with the shell, which may cause them to fall out first. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T9G1riDZTyYC&q=blue+shell+mario+kart |publisher=New Riders |isbn=978-0133362749 |accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref> Because of this, the blue shell has largely come to be seen as one of the best and most famous, yet also one of the most enraging items in video game history. ==History== The ''[[Super Mario|Mario]]'' series features some visually similar figures which predate the blue shell, such as the red Spinies from the original ''[[Super Mario Bros.]]'' (1985) and blue [[Koopa Troopas]] of ''[[Super Mario World]]'' (1990/1991).<ref name="Gamasutra">{{cite web |title=The Blue Shell and its Discontents |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/218696/the_blue_shell_and_its_discontents.php |last=Bogost |first=Ian |author-link=Ian Bogost |date=2014-05-30 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref> In ''[[Mario Kart 64]]'', only the last place racer can obtain the blue shell. Since the release of ''[[Mario Kart: Double Dash!!]]'', the series sees the blue shell being more common to characters closer to the lead (if the leader pulls away from the rest of the pack), and in all releases from [[Mario Kart: Double Dash|Mario kart: Double dash!!!]] up until ''[[Mario Kart 7]]'', it is unable to hit characters on its way to the lead, as it has wings and flies above the track using wings rather than gliding upon the surface.<ref name="Gamasutra" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-05-16 |title=Mario Kart Month: A Brief History Of Mario Kart Item Evolution: The Shell |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2014/05/mario_kart_month_a_brief_history_of_mario_kart_item_evolution_the_shell |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Nintendo Life |language=en-GB}}</ref> There are few techniques possible in some ''Mario Kart'' games to evade a blue shell, such as using a timed boost from a [[Mushroom (Mario)|Mushroom]] item in ''[[Mario Kart DS]]'' onwards. In ''[[Mario Kart 8]]'', it is possible to use a Super Horn to destroy blue shells.<ref name="Analysis">{{cite web |title= Mario Kart's Blue Shell: An Analysis |url=http://www.popculturemonster.com/games/mario-karts-blue-shell-an-analysis/ |last=Reinhardt |first=Ciaran |date=2014-10-18 |work=Pop Culture Monster |accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref><ref name="Blue Shell Tyranny">{{cite web |title=Blue Shell's Tyranny Ends in Mario Kart 8 |quote=What excites me the most is the Super Horn, a new item that can destroy incoming items--including the dreaded blue shells ... |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blue-shell-s-tyranny-ends-in-mario-kart-8/1100-6419302/ |last=McGee |first=Maxwell |date=2014-04-30 |work=[[GameSpot]] |accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref><ref name="dodge">{{cite web| title=Reminder: You Can Totally Dodge The Blue Shell In Mario Kart| url=http://kotaku.com/reminder-you-can-totally-dodge-the-blue-shell-in-mario-1595450903| author= Hernandez, Patricia| date=2014-06-24| publisher=[[Kotaku]]| accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref> A toy model of the blue shell is included in the [[limited edition]] package of ''Mario Kart 8''.<ref>{{cite web | title='Mario Kart 8' Limited Edition Comes With Replica Blue Shell| url=http://gamerant.com/mario-kart-8-limited-edition-trailer-wii-u/ |first=Riley |last=Little |date=2014 |publisher=Game Rant | accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition comes with a real life Spiny Shell |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-03-06-mario-kart-8-limited-edition-comes-with-a-real-life-spiny-shell |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=2014-06-03 |work=[[Eurogamer.net]] |accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref> In the mobile game ''[[Mario Kart Tour]]'', the Super Horn returns; however, with the introduction of item "frenzies", it is indeed possible to get a blue shell frenzy, although this does target first place. The shell also glides along the ground in this title, similar to [[Mario Kart 7]] and [[Mario Kart 8|Mario Kart 8]] and [[Mario Kart 8 Deluxe|8 Deluxe]]. ==Reception== The blue shell is known as a random element with harsh consequences, which is difficult to evade. As a "hazard that strips certainty and authority", [[Ian Bogost]] of ''[[Gamasutra]]'' called ''Mario Kart''{{'s}} blue shell the "most profoundly [[existentialist]] element of the ''Mario'' canon", disruptive to "the entire logic of this familiar fantasy universe."<ref name="Gamasutra" /> Alex Langley's ''The Geek Handbook'' names as one of ''Mario Kart 8''{{'s}} greatest frustrations, to be hit by a blue shell shortly before reaching the finish line.<ref name="Analysis" /><ref>{{cite book |last1=Langley|first1=Alex |date=2012-11-21 |title=The Geek Handbook: Practical Skills and Advice for the Likeable Modern Geek |quote=Because there are few things more frustrating than being in first place for an entire race, only to fall to eighth at the last moment because of a well-timed blue shell smacking you right in the noggin. |url=https://archive.org/details/geekhandbookprac0000lang |url-access=registration|publisher=Krause Publications |page=[https://archive.org/details/geekhandbookprac0000lang/page/66 66] |isbn=978-1440232886 |accessdate=2014-11-28}}</ref> Maxwell McGee of ''[[GameSpot]]'' considered the ability to destroy the "dreaded" blue shells with a new item, the Super Horn, to be a particularly exciting feature of ''Mario Kart 8''.<ref name="Blue Shell Tyranny"/> David Murphy from [[PCMag]] and Jamie Andrew from [[Den of Geek]] called the Blue Shell the “Blue Shell of Death”.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gamers Chafe at Product Placement in Mario Kart 8 |url=https://www.pcmag.com/news/gamers-chafe-at-product-placement-in-mario-kart-8 |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=PCMAG |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=jbindeck2015 |date=2019-02-19 |title=9 Frustrating Video Game Experiences |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/frustrating-video-game-experiences/ |access-date=2022-11-08 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref> ''[[Nintendo Power]]'' called the use of a Mushroom to dodge a blue shell a "defining moment" of gameplay in ''[[Mario Kart Wii]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=2010 |title= Mario Kart Wii (Wii) |quote=Defining moment: When you've used a mushroom to dodge an incoming spiny shell. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FYpYAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Spiny+shell%22 |magazine=[[Nintendo Power]] |publisher=[[Nintendo of America]] |volume=252-254 |pages=69 |accessdate=28 November 2014}}</ref> Calling it "The Great Equalizer" for its enhancement of the elements of struggle and luck, ''[[Kotaku]]''{{'}}s Nathan Grayson considered the blue shell to be the most despised, and best, item of the ''Mario Kart'' series.<ref name="Most Hated at Kotaku">{{cite web | title=Mario Kart's Most Hated Item Is Actually Its Best | date=August 28, 2014 | first=Nathan | last=Grayson | publisher=Kotaku | url=http://kotaku.com/mario-karts-most-hated-item-is-actually-its-best-1627981763 | accessdate=June 20, 2015}}</ref> ''Kotaku''{{'}}s Yannick Le Jacq considered the blue shell to be the most notable and game-changing among ''Mario Kart''{{'s}} "most notorious" items, adding that this made it "a lot more fun" to use in ''Super Smash Bros. for 3DS'' and ''Wii U''.<ref name="SSB items at Kotaku" /> In July 2017, Keith Stuart of ''[[The Guardian]]'' included the blue shell as one of the "11 greatest video game objects" in history, stating: "The most controversial item in the ''Mario'' universe, the blue shell [...] has brought frustration, recrimination and anger to living rooms everywhere.<ref name="GuardianGreatestObjects">{{cite web | title=The 11 greatest video game objects – in pictures | date=July 12, 2018 | first=Keith | last=Stuart | work=The Guardian | url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gallery/2017/jul/12/greatest-video-game-objects-in-pictures-sonic-rings-portal-companion-cube | accessdate=November 16, 2020}}</ref> In a 2011 interview with ''Kotaku'', [[Hideki Konno]], who directed ''[[Super Mario Kart]]'' and ''Mario Kart 64'', was asked about the blue shells inclusion in the series. He stated that it was introduced in ''Mario Kart 64'' to keep players together due to the limited processing power of the [[Nintendo 64]] and that “we wanted to create a race where everyone was in it until the end.”<ref name="interview"/> In a 2017 interview with ''[[Eurogamer]]'', Kosuke Yabuki, the director of ''Mario Kart 7'' and ''Mario Kart 8'', said that Nintendo has experimented with removing the blue shell from the games, but "it feels like something's missing. Like there's something not quite enough in the game. So for now we've kept it in."<ref>{{cite news|first=Martin|last=Robinson|publisher=Eurogamer|date=July 21, 2017|access-date=February 20, 2022|title=Love it or hate it, it sounds like Mario Kart's Blue Shell is here to stay|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-07-21-love-it-or-hate-it-it-sounds-like-the-blue-shell-is-here-to-stay}}</ref> ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} {{Mario racing games}} {{Mario franchise}} [[Category:Fictional weapons]] [[Category:Video game items]] [[Category:Mario Kart]] [[Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1996]]'